Capital of Eritrea: Asmara
The capital of Eritrea is Asmara. Eritrea sits in Africa, has a population of 3,684,032, and uses the ERN. Official languages include Tigrinya, Arabic, English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Asmara
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~3,684,032
- Area: 117,600 km²
- Population density: 31.3 people per km²
- Official languages: Tigrinya, Arabic, English
- Currency: ERN
- ISO code: ER
How big is Eritrea?
By population, Eritrea ranks 131st in the world, holding roughly 0.05% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 99th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Eritrea has 31.3 people per square kilometre, which is about 1.9 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Eritrea is the 40th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Eritrea in population are Georgia (3,744,385) and Uruguay (3,422,794).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Malawi (118,484 km²) and North Korea (120,538 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Tigrinya is listed as an official language of Eritrea alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Eritrea uses the ERN, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Eritrea in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Eritrea belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Eritrea and a page on the flag of Eritrea.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Eritrea?
The capital of Eritrea is Asmara.
What is the population of Eritrea?
About 3,684,032, making it the 131st most populous country in the world.
How big is Eritrea?
117,600 square kilometres, ranking 99th by land area, at a density of 31.3 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Eritrea use?
The ERN, which no other country uses.